And England boss Roy Hodgson claims Rooney has proved he can follow 32- year-old skipper Steven Gerrard and lead his country. Hodgson said: “Wayne was my vice-captain in the Euros – at least he was from the moment he could start playing again.

“Steve was given the captain’s armband and I made it clear Wayne would be the vice-captain.

“Frank has come back in and ­captained the team, but I always had it in my mind that Wayne would be vice-captain.”

Asked if Rooney will be his future captain, Hodgson said: “Yes.

“It’s something he’s very proud of and something he wants to do. He does take playing for England ­unbelievably seriously and that’s a good thing for us.”